Finger-exercising apparatus of the digitorium type.



J. E. BLURTON.

FINGER EXERCISING APPARATUS OF THE mcnomum TYPE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 4, I915.

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Patented Mar. 14, 1916.

Flg 3 THE COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH c0.. WASHINGTON, n. C.

JAMES EDWARD BLURTON, OF EDGBASTON, BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND.

FINGER-EXERCISING APPARATUS OF THE DIGITORIUM TYPE.

Application filed March 4, 1915.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES EDWARD BLUR- TON, organist and teacher of music, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at 68 Sandon road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, England, have invented a new and useful Improved Finger-Exercising Apparatus of the Digitorium Type; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention has reference to improvements in and relating to finger-exercising apparatus of the digitorium type, and has for its objects and effects to provide a simple and convenient means whereby the technique, or method of manipulation, in pianoforte playing may be taught in class to a number of pupils simultaneously, and which though soundless shall indicate to the instructor when the correct notes have been struck, and also the manner of striking 2'. c. the correctness of touch, or otherwise.

The invention essentially comprises a series of keys of any compass but preferably of one or two octaves disposed as for a piano keyboard, which keys are connected by means of levers to indicators so that when a key is struck its indicator shall rise at the top of the instrument so that the instructor may see it, and thus be enabled to supervise the work of a number of pupils.

The keys are held in their normal position by being weighted with metal inserted into the rear of the key lever as in pianofort-e keys, or by adjustable springs as is usual in organ construction.

The invention is more particularly set forth in the following description, which is made in connection with the accompanying drawings in which it is shown.

Figure l is a sectional elevation. Fig. 2 is a sectional front view of Fig. l, and Fig. 8 is a perspective view of one of the indicators.

In Fig. 1 the key 1 therein shown which is the note F will be described as an example, the others all being exactly the same in construction and operation. This key 1 extends backward into the body of case 2 in the form of a long lever 3 which is pivoted on a pin i fixed in the bar running below the keys, as is usual in a pianoforte. The motion of the key 1 is limited at each end by stops 5 and 6. In the key bed or stop 5 is a strip of very Specification of Letters Patent.

Patentet. Mar. 14, 1915.

Serial Ho. 12,157.

elastic felt, or other suitable material, projecting slightly above the level of the key bed, the object of this device being to cause the indicator to show if the finger continues an unnecessary pressure upon note, the rule being that after striking note finger muscles should relax, the note being held down as required by mere weight of finger without undue pressure. lVhen this rule is observed expansion of the felt lifts the key a little causing the indicator to fall slightly thereby registering relaxing of finger muscles. At the inner end of the lever 3 is mounted a rod 7 which is again connected to a plate 8 above it, mounted on a rod 9, running the length of the casing of instrument, which is mounted in slot 10. To the olate 8 is connected an indicator 11, under which is a stop 12 of felt or the like on which the indicator rests so as to be capable of being moved through a slot 13. Thus when the key 1 is depressed the inner end of the lever 3 rises, and by means of the rod 7 lifts the plate 8, and causes the indicator 11 to appear above the top of the case. The indicators may be suitably marked so as to indicate which note is struck the markings being repeated on each corresponding note in each octave. Near the inner end of the lever 3 and above the stop 6 is a counterweight 1%, which by its action tends to force the lever down and :eep the key in its normal place in the usual manner.

Fixed to the case 2 is a block 15 in which a hole is provided to accommodate the lower end of a rod 16, which is screwed for part of its length, and to which is suitably connected a spring 17 secured at its other end to the case 2. The upper end of the rod projects through the top of the case 2, and is mounted with a head suitably shaped for pressing with finger tip, and thus a finger which is weak may be given additional exercise, the tension of the spring being adjusted as required by turning the screwed rod 16.

It is clear that this invention will be the means of assisting both teachers and students of the pianoforte in the attainment of manual d xterity.

hat I do claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is A pianoforte teacher comprising a casing having an opening in its top, a key-board mounted on the casing and having the inner ends of its keys disposed within the casing,

1O indicators whereby the depression of the forward ends of the keys will raise the free ends of the indicators.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES EDVARD 'BLURTON.

Witnesses:

CHARLES ROBERT HINGKELMAN, ETHEL FLORA STRIDE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner'of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

